Please click here for part fifteen.

Today was the 27th of November. I was so happy to be in the ashram. I got up with the biggest smile on my face. I looked at my roommate. She was a cutie pie. Her biggest green/blue eyes and brightest smile welcomed me with love. Her name was Kirti. She said she was glad to share her room with me, as she understood how hard it is to find a room at this time of the year as all the rooms are booked in advance for the most “important day”!

Important day? What day is that? Is something happening in the ashram that I am not aware of? Well, how could I? A few months back ashram didn’t exist in my life, and I had forgotten Guruji in this life-body form, remember?

She said, “You are here for the big day, right? Everyone is getting ready for Swami Ji’s birthday; it’s on the 30th of November”.

Wh.. what! Wait .. what??? Words were not coming out of my mouth. Our Guruji’s birthday? In three days? The Universe forced me to be at the ashram to celebrate his birthday with all his loving devotees and the divine himself. Am I that worthy? Not! I was in awe! What’s happening in my life? Every devotee here plans this event, books their accommodations, airline, and taxi, and works around social and family commitments so that they can be here for this most auspicious day. And, here I am, nobody important, a newbie in the spiritual world, just popped up with no expectations, to offer my obeisance at my Guruji’s feet one more time, and say hello to my Bhagwan Sri Hari Ji before I had back to the US. Was my timing perfect, or was I brought here by force?

After breakfast, I went to the office, registered my check-in, and thanked them for finding me a room to crash. Not just a room but a lovely room with the kindest roommate. Basudev Ji smiled and said, “Sona, we didn’t do anything. It was all Sri Hari’s wish; no one could be here without his wish. It looks like you are his favorite person; that’s why he wanted you to be here and arranged the room for you”. My unworthy (and useless) ego got tickled to hear that. Yes, I felt unique; I am Sri Hari’s favorite person! On the other hand, I was in awe listening to him. His every word was full of kindness; he was so humble and offered me nothing but love. I asked Namita Ji if she could recommend any seva (voluntary work) for me in the ashram. She said she would let me know immediately.

From day one, I started hanging out with Kirti Ji; she is in charge of temple seva. I was looking forward to doing seva at the ashram, and before I knew it, I became a part of a team of temple seva. Namita Ji was glad that I found seva. However, she did offer me a few other choices. I love my time in the temple. I can see my Bhagwan Sri Hari Ji; I can talk to him (in my mind). I sing bhajans to him (again, in my mind, I was not ready to be announced as an insane person yet!) while vacuuming the carpets or cleaning the doors and windows. Plus, it is not polite to talk while in the temple. I was lucky to be close to the Divine and serve him directly. Any seva at the ashram goes to Sri Hari Ji. I would have felt thankful and blessed no matter what seva I would get as long as I was doing seva at the ashram.

Please click here for part seventeen.